Apparatus and methods for increased time rates and flavor control in the aging of alcoholic beverages

Abstract

A method and system for rapidly aging ethanol-based solutions is disclosed wherein the temperature of a mass transfer column containing packing material is controlled while fluid flows there through.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system that rapidly ages an ethanol-based solution, comprising:
 a. b. c.      d.      a mass transfer column containing a packing material, said mass transfer column having a fluid inlet and a fluid exit;   a supply reservoir in fluid connection with said fluid inlet of said mass transfer column so as to allow fluid flow from said supply reservoir to said fluid inlet; a pump configured to move said ethanol-based solution from said supply reservoir into said fluid inlet, through said mass transfer column, and out through said fluid exit; and   a temperature control apparatus to control the temperature of the ethanol-based solution within the system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a fluid connection between the fluid exit of said column and the supply reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is further configured to move said ethanol-based fluid sinusoidally within said column. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an electromagnetic radiation apparatus configured to irradiate said ethanol-based solution. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mass transfer column has a gas inlet and a gas exit such that the solution can be infused with a gas. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve configured to control flow into said column, out of said column, or both. 
     
     
         7 . A method for rapidly aging an ethanol-based solution comprising:
 pumping said ethanol-based solution from a supply reservoir to and through a mass transfer column containing a material with a flow rate that oscillates sinusoidally.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the direction of flow through the mass transfer column is contrary to gravity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising varying a temperature of the ethanol-based solution up to the boiling point of ethanol. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising introducing a gas into the mass transfer column. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said ethanol-based solution is re-circulated through said column. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising irradiating the solution as it moves through the system with electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         13 . A method for rapidly aging an ethanol-based solution comprising the steps of: pumping said ethanol-based solution from a supply reservoir to and through a mass transfer column containing a material wherein the direction of flow is contrary to gravity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising introducing a gas into the mass transfer column. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising varying a temperature of the ethanol-based solution up to the boiling point of ethanol. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said ethanol-based solution is re-circulated through said column. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising irradiating the solution as it moves through the system with electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said ethanol-based solution is pumped from said supply reservoir to and through said mass transfer column and back into said supply reservoir with a flow rate that oscillates sinusoidally.